Construction Details

Notable features

There was a time, not that long ago, when the Southern Cross Hotel was the epitome of Melbourne style. Its guest list ranged from Liverpudlian mop-tops to prime ministers and presidents. Within its walls-within its sheets- reposed, at various times, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Rock Hudson and Marlene Dietrich. Its function rooms played host to society weddings, literary lunches, Brownlow Medal counts, Logie awards and Liberal Party acceptances or concessions. When the hotel opened in 1962, the event was broadcast live on Melbourne television and a catchy tune was composed for the occasion, which ended (to a vibrant bongo accompaniment) "Good night from the Southern Cross". Six years ago, that good night became goodbye: the premises closed, with which the bowling alley registered its last strike and the Club Grill served its final baked potato in silver foil. It has certainly been a long goodbye for the Southern Cross, whose sorry shell bulks large on Bourke Street hill - a reminder of the original redevelopment plans, which intended to incorporate the existing hotel building, but not its plaza or retail arcades, which were demolished soon after the hotel closed.

History

Architect:

This building has been destroyed (1999)

Sold off by the owners, the Nauru government, and demolished to make way for speculative mixed use apartment development. The site remained undeveloped for many years.